Lively sail to Carmel Head from Holyhead Marina.

Beth Price

⛵ Antoka | Holyhead Bay to Carmel Head 20 September 2026 | 11:00–16:00 | Approx. 5 hours A fantastic and challenging sail aboard Antoka from Holyhead, heading across Holyhead Bay towards Carmel Head. Conditions were considerably more lively than I’ve previously experienced aboard her, with a strong breeze and a short, persistent sea. As we crossed the bay the waves became increasingly noticeable, with what felt like large, almost continuous waves. Antoka handled them beautifully, although it made for a much more physical and exhilarating sail than my previous trips. We sailed with the mainsail on two reefs, together with the genoa. I released us from the mooring buoy before departure and, once underway, helped raise the mainsail and genoa. I then spent the majority of the five-hour sail at the helm, including sailing Antoka through the heavier sea across the bay. A brilliant opportunity to build confidence helming in stronger conditions and to experience how the boat behaves in a much more energetic sea state. Definitely the most demanding conditions I've sailed Antoka in so far, and a very memorable day on the water. Skills/practical experience: Helming in moderate/choppy seas • maintaining course through short-period waves • sailing under reefed main • mainsail and genoa hoist • releasing from mooring buoy • experiencing sail balance and boat handling in stronger conditions. Sea state: Moderate/choppy, short-period waves, frequent whitecaps Sail plan: Mainsail, 2 reefs + genoa Time underway: ~5 hours Route: Holyhead → across Holyhead Bay towards Carmel Head → Holyhead